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Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “The Growth of Communalism in British India: A Historical Perspective”

  1. Which of the following acts is often considered to have contributed significantly to the growth of communalism in British India?
    A) Indian Councils Act 1909
    B) Government of India Act 1935
    C) Rowlatt Act 1919
    D) Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
    Answer: A) Indian Councils Act 1909
  2. The two-nation theory, which led to the demand for a separate Muslim state, was prominently propagated by which leader?
    A) Mahatma Gandhi
    B) B.R. Ambedkar
    C) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
    D) Jawaharlal Nehru
    Answer: C) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
  3. The formation of the All-India Muslim League took place in which year?
    A) 1906
    B) 1916
    C) 1920
    D) 1930
    Answer: A) 1906
  4. The communal riots of 1946, especially in Calcutta, are often referred to as what?
    A) Great Calcutta Killings
    B) Bengal Riots
    C) Calcutta Communal Violence
    D) Hindu-Muslim Riots
    Answer: A) Great Calcutta Killings
  5. The term “communalism” in the Indian context primarily refers to: A) Economic disparity
    B) Religious conflicts
    C) Political ideology
    D) Social justice
    Answer: B) Religious conflicts
  6. Which of the following events is considered a turning point in the history of communalism in India?
    A) Khilafat Movement
    B) Quit India Movement
    C) Partition of Bengal
    D) Civil Disobedience Movement
    Answer: C) Partition of Bengal
  7. Which of the following was a significant outcome of the communal politics during British rule?
    A) Formation of a united India
    B) Establishment of a secular state
    C) Partition of India
    D) Strengthening of Indian National Congress
    Answer: C) Partition of India
  8. The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was an agreement between which two groups?
    A) Congress and Muslim League
    B) Congress and Hindu Mahasabha
    C) Muslim League and Sikh leaders
    D) Congress and Socialists
    Answer: A) Congress and Muslim League
  9. What was the main objective of the Khilafat Movement initiated by Indian Muslims?
    A) Establishment of a Muslim state
    B) Support for the Ottoman Empire
    C) Secular governance in India
    D) Economic upliftment of Muslims
    Answer: B) Support for the Ottoman Empire
  10. Which British policy is often blamed for exacerbating communal tensions in India?
    A) Divide and Rule
    B) Policy of Non-Interference
    C) Home Rule
    D) Indianization of the Army
    Answer: A) Divide and Rule
  11. Who was the key figure in the Hindu Mahasabha that promoted Hindu nationalism?
    A) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
    B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
    C) B.R. Ambedkar
    D) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
    Answer: A) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
  12. The communal riots during the partition of India resulted in the displacement of approximately how many people?
    A) 10 million
    B) 15 million
    C) 20 million
    D) 25 million
    Answer: B) 15 million
  13. Which of the following movements sought to unify Hindus and Muslims against British rule?
    A) Non-Cooperation Movement
    B) Civil Disobedience Movement
    C) Khilafat Movement
    D) Quit India Movement
    Answer: C) Khilafat Movement
  14. Which report published in 1928 highlighted the grievances of the Indian National Congress and communal tensions?
    A) Simon Commission Report
    B) Montagu-Chelmsford Report
    C) Nehru Report
    D) Cripps Mission Report
    Answer: A) Simon Commission Report
  15. What was the primary concern of the Muslim League after the 1937 elections in India?
    A) Representation in government
    B) Economic development
    C) Religious freedom
    D) Secularism
    Answer: A) Representation in government
  16. In which year did the British government announce the plan for the partition of India?
    A) 1945
    B) 1946
    C) 1947
    D) 1948
    Answer: C) 1947
  17. Which communal event in 1924 led to widespread riots in India?
    A) Moplah Rebellion
    B) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
    C) Chauri Chaura Incident
    D) Calcutta Communal Riots
    Answer: A) Moplah Rebellion
  18. The concept of “Two-Nation Theory” was first articulated in which context?
    A) Political discussions
    B) Economic policies
    C) Religious debates
    D) Social reform movements
    Answer: C) Religious debates
  19. Who was the prominent leader of the Indian National Congress during the communal riots of the 1940s?
    A) Jawaharlal Nehru
    B) Mahatma Gandhi
    C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
    D) Subhas Chandra Bose
    Answer: B) Mahatma Gandhi
  20. Which event marked the first significant Hindu-Muslim riots in British India?
    A) The First World War
    B) The Great Revolt of 1857
    C) The Partition of Bengal
    D) The Khilafat Movement
    Answer: C) The Partition of Bengal
  21. The term “communal harmony” refers to which of the following?
    A) Unity among all religions
    B) Political alliances
    C) Economic cooperation
    D) Religious supremacy
    Answer: A) Unity among all religions
  22. The “Direct Action Day” called by the Muslim League in 1946 resulted in what?
    A) Peaceful protests
    B) Widespread violence
    C) Negotiations for independence
    D) Unification of political parties
    Answer: B) Widespread violence
  23. Who was the British Viceroy during the partition of India?
    A) Lord Curzon
    B) Lord Wavell
    C) Lord Mountbatten
    D) Lord Chelmsford
    Answer: C) Lord Mountbatten
  24. The communal tensions in British India were largely fueled by: A) Economic disparities
    B) Religious identities
    C) Political ambitions
    D) Social reforms
    Answer: B) Religious identities
  25. Which organization was established in 1916 to promote Hindu interests?
    A) All-India Muslim League
    B) Hindu Mahasabha
    C) Indian National Congress
    D) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
    Answer: B) Hindu Mahasabha
  26. The “Communal Award” announced by the British government in 1932 aimed to address which issue?
    A) Representation of minorities
    B) Economic policies
    C) Agricultural reforms
    D) Educational access
    Answer: A) Representation of minorities
  27. Which historian described communalism as a product of British policies?
    A) Bipin Chandra
    B) Romila Thapar
    C) Sumit Sarkar
    D) K. N. Panikkar
    Answer: A) Bipin Chandra
  28. Which of the following was a significant factor leading to the rise of communalism in India?
    A) Economic inequality
    B) Caste conflicts
    C) British educational policies
    D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
  29. The relationship between Hindu and Muslim communities during the early 20th century was primarily characterized by: A) Cooperation
    B) Conflict
    C) Mutual respect
    D) Indifference
    Answer: B) Conflict
  30. Which of the following events marked the culmination of communal tensions in British India?
    A) Independence of India
    B) Establishment of the Indian National Congress
    C) Formation of the Hindu Mahasabha
    D) Lucknow Pact
    Answer: A) Independence of India

These questions provide a comprehensive overview of the growth of communalism in British India, covering key events, figures, and concepts related to this historical phenomenon.

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